OKC Thunder seek to make it 3 in a row versus Lakers: preview

Key Stats:

Since they last played the Lakers’ big three categories have shifted dropping from 11th to 23rd offensively (106.8), are 15th defensively (108.4), and also fell in net differential from a previous plus mark and ranked 14th switching to minus and 23rd (-1.6).

Conversely, two wins allowed a rise in defensive ranking for the OKC Thunder this week:  30th offensively (100.3), 17th defensively (109.0), and 28th and shaved a few points off their net differential (-8.7).

Scoring:

A bit of a surprise here considering the Thunder was impacted by that 73 point differential but it’s the Lakers who perform worse in opponent scoring.

Offensively LA ranks fifth overall scoring 111.3 points while opponents are averaging 112.8 points which rank 28th on the ladder.

The Thunder ranks 30th in scoring per game with 99.3 points and perform better than the Lakers in terms of opponent scoring ranking in a tie for 18th with 108.0 points scored.

Perimeter:

Since the teams last played the Lakers have dropped from the ninth-best perimeter defense into a tie for 15th allowing opponents to shoot 34.5 percent.  Coincidentally, the Lakers also rank in the middle for their own 3-point shooting ranking 15th with 34.8 percent efficiency.

Rebounding:

Intentions were flummoxed how a tall Lakers team ranked 19th on the glass but since the teams last played they rose to fifth overall in rebounding with 46.4 boards per match. On the offensive glass, they pull down 10.0 boards to rank in a four-way tie for 16th.

This is one of the better categories for the Thunder who grab 45.6 boards in total ranking ninth and average 9.8 offensive boards which rank 20th overall.

Dime dishers:

Any team with LeBron and Westbrook is going to be a good assist team so it’s no surprise the Lakers rank in a tie for ninth dishing 24.5 dimes per game.

Alternatively, OKC isn’t a great assist team despite having Josh Giddey throwing blistering passes and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander upping his playmaking of late. They average 20.2 assists per game to rank dead last.

Turnovers:

An area where the Thunder can capitalize is forcing turnovers with the Lakers coughing it up 16.1 times per game which ranks 28th in the association.

Miscellaneous Categories:

It’s not surprising the Lakers perform well in some of the miscellaneous categories given the talents on their squad. Although they take shade for their age they are one of the best fast break teams.

• Points off turnovers: 18.3 – ranks 6th
• Second Chance points: 10.7 – rank 26th
• Fast break points: 15.6 – rank 3rd
• Points in the paint: 48.2 – rank tied for 7th

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Lakers struggle in the miscellaneous defensive categories. Fans who wondered how the Thunder beat the Lakers twice can cite these categories since the Thunder live in the paint offensively.

Moreover when OKC is active defensively forcing turnovers and crashing the glass that translates into easy fast break points and second-chance scoring opportunities. All areas the Lakers struggle on defensively.

• Points off turnovers: 17.3 – rank 22nd
• Second Chance points: 13.8 – rank 26th
• Fast break points: 14.3 – rank 26th
• Points in the paint: 49.0  – rank 29th.

NOTE: These stats were pulled prior to games played on December 10th from NBA official site.